Sea Sparrow AIM-7 / RIM-7

Description

The radar-guided, air-to-air Sparrow AIM-7 in various models has been in production for over thirty years and is used by both the Air Force and the Navy. This missile is still used today on USN aircraft, although the higher-capability Advanced, Medium-Range, Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) has replaced it as the first-line air-to-air missile.

Sea Sparrow RIM-7 is a ship-launched version used in the Basic Point Defense Missile System (BPDMS). When compared to the AIM-7, the RIM-7 version has a more rapid run-up (ready to fire), folding wings and clipped tail fins. Guidance modifications include fuzing better adapted to low-altitude targets, ground clutter filters and the ability to discriminate between different illuminators.

Because it was semiactively guided, Sea Sparrow originally required an illuminating radar directed at the target all the way from launch to kill. Latter mods incorporate an autopilot, requiring illumination only as the missile closes with the target.

Sea Sparrow RIM-7 being loaded aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) in March 2002. The shipment cannister can be seen at lower right. US Navy Photograph 020323-N-9849W-009.Sea Sparrow RIM-7 exiting the launcher on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in May 2007. Detail from US Navy Photograph 070521-N-5345W-047.Sea Sparrow RIM-7 launching from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in May 2007. US Navy Photograph 070521-N-5345W-053.Loading AIM-7 Sparrows onto an F/A-18 "Hornet" aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in March 2002. Note that the fins have not yet been attached to these missiles. US Navy Photograph 020303-N-4768W-015.

Characteristics

Designation

Aircraft Launched: AIM-7Ship Launched: RIM-7

Ship Class Used On

Many

Date In Service

1976 (Model M)

Weight

2,980 lbs. (1,341 kg)

Dimensions

12 feet (3.64 meters) long x 8 inches (20.3 cm) diameterWing Span:

AIM: 40.6 in (103 cm)

RIM: 25 in (63.5 cm)

Payload

86 lbs. (39 kg) WAU-17/B blast fragmentation

Range

Classified, but more than 30 nm (55 km) in current versions

Speed

More than 2,660 mph (4,260 kph)

Propulsion

Hercules MK-58 solid-propellant rocket motor

Sources

Data from:

"The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" by Norman Friedman